Digestive System
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Misty mesentery refers to a non-specific radiological finding characterized by increased attenuation within the mesenteric fat on computed tomography  imaging.  It mimics mistiness as localised fat stranding in the mesentery.  Many processes can lead to the appearance including infiltration by inflammatory cells, oedema, lymphatic accumulation, haemorrhage, tumour infiltration, and fibrosis.  Tipically reflects mesentery panniculitis  ( rare  benign condition characterized by chronic inflammation  of adipose tissue mainly of the small bowel mesentery) But can be the results of any inflammatory or neoplasic process. That is why it is needed to consider also vasculitis, lymphomas, inflammatory process or GI neoplasia.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm account for around 5% of pancreatic neoplasm. They are almost exclusively found in females (f:m ratio 10:1) and usually appear in their 20s.  CT and EUS can show well-encapsulated mass with varying solid and cystic components, caused by hemorrhagic degeneration. Peripheral calcification may occur.  They appearance can vary from solid to purely cystic- therefore even a small cystic lesion in a young female without previous pancreatitis episodes must make us consider this diagnosis

These lesion have a potential for malignant degeneration (Around 15%) therefore surgical removal is recommended . Cytology can show cluster  or sheets of papillary cells, PAS + and Vimentin.

• CLINICAL CASE AND Image: Dr Hajar Adil
• Source: Endosonography, 5th Edition by Shyam Varadarajulu, MD, Paul Fockens, MD, PhD and Robert H. Hawes, MD.
• Learning point brought by Dr Sarto Paquin

Methotrexate, same as Azathioprine or Mercaptopurine, is NOT recommended for inducing remission , but to maintain remission. It can take up to 12 weeks to work However, these immunomodulators should be started earlier when patient is responding to first line treatment, in order to maintain remission and prevent flareups,  especially those with extensive disease or other poor prognostic features (early age at diagnosis, penetrating or stricturing disease, neeed for steroid, high CRP, smoker) should be considered for early introduction of biological therapy (dual biologic plus immunomodulator)

Active Crohn’s first line of treatment is an 8-week course of systemic corticosteroids to induce remission. Budesonide can be used  in mild-moderate case of ileal crohns, but should be escalated to systemic treatment if patient does not response.

Exclusive Enteral Nutrition (EEN) may be used to induce remission in mild to moderate Crohn’s disease patients where avoidance of corticosteroid is desired, and in those who are motivated to adhere strictly to EEN for up to 8 weeks. As this is a young male, this could be a possibility that may be worth exploring with paediatricians , dietitian and surgical team involvement. Howwever the fact that CRP is so high makes this case not  the ideal  candidate as he is already presenting systemic inflammation and there should be a good window of time needed  for this diet to work.

See BSG IBD guidelines 

both Left main bronchus and left atrium are compressions   visualized anterior to the oesophagus. See image

According to the  2020 BSG  post-polypectomy surveillance guidelines   we recommend no surveillance if life expectancy is less than 10 y or patient older than 75 yo.  However this can be flexible depending on the patient situation. For example, if histology show incomplete resection margins or colonoscopy was suboptimally prepared then it could be reasonable to repeat the test in 1 year.

If this same case was in a fit and younger patient (e.g  65 yo patient ) then given that we removed 5  adenomas (premalignant) - this would be the cutoff to have another colonoscopy in 3 years

In fact, the majority of the guidelines suggest 3 year follow up if 5 or more small(<10mm)  adenomas are removed.  2020 AGA recommend 3 years followup if 5-10 adenomas, 5 years if 3-4 adenomas and up to 7-10 years if only 1-2 adenomas (or SSL).

For example, if a 65 yo patient had only 4 small adenomas with en bloc resection and good bowel cleaning,  no further surveillance and return to bowel screening according to the British guidelines but would need 5 year colonoscopy according to the AGA guidelines. 

Difficult case with patient older than 65 and comorbidities with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis.

Vedolizumab should be indicated in his case as it performs better than anti TNFs in ulcerative colitis, confirming the results of the Varsity study.   ( Over a 5 year period, drug persistence is higher in patients treated with vedolizumab as compared to anti-TNF therapies and loss of response is less frequent again in the vedolizumab group). Age or previous TIA /AV block are not contraindications for anti-TNF (only Moderate-severe heart failure, which is not the case) So even though Adalimumab would be a valid option, it should be ideally used if Vedolizumab fails.

JAK inhibitor (Tofacitinib) should not be prescribed in people with a history of cardiovascular disease (eg. heart attack or stroke) at increased risk of cardiovascular problems (eg. current or past long-time smokers) at increased risk of cancer or aged 65 years and over unless no suitable alternative

Ozanibod could be an oral alternative , however second-degree Mobitz type II atrioventricular (AV) bloc and TIA within the previous 6 months contraindicates its use.

Off the quizz options, another good one would be Ustekinumab (interleukin 12&23 antagonist drug ) as not contraindicated here and equally valid to Vedolizumab.

Check the guidelines

Kudo II (asteroid or stellate pits) which are star or cross-shaped.  This is very typical of hyperplastic polyps (non neoplastic)  or serrated lesions.

Scores of 8-14 represent Hazardous or Harmful range. In those cases, the recommendation is to explain to the patient that they may be drinking too much on occasions, and the likely negative impact the alcohol can cause as it is carcinogenic, can help developing cardiovascular disease, can cause dependence and can put you or others at risk.

Any  score of 15 or above associates high risk (drinking could cause harm and it is important a clear determination to cut down or stop alcohol). Any score of 20 or above indicates likely dependence and needs referral to specialist and supervised detoxification